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I’m sure we’ve all heard the phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle. I feel like recycling is pretty straightforward: throw the proper things in the proper place. And, I’ve already talked about ways you can reduce your waste output over the past few weeks, so I thought today I would talk about how you can reuse, the red-headed stepchild of the three.
According to the Envrironmental Protection Agency (EPA), one person produces around 4.9 pounds of trash a day in the U.S. Much of this waste could be repurposed or not bought in the first place. Today, I will share some easy ways to reuse your items, ensuring that as little waste goes into landfills as possible.
Not everything can be recycled, and recycling itself still requires a good deal of energy, so reusing is a great way to maintain a greener lifestyle.
One of the best ways to reuse is to learn how to sew. The United States produces a whopping 17 million tons of textile waste per year, so reusing your clothing is a great idea. You don’t need to be a great sewer, even just learning how to hand sew a hem or button is all you need to be able to repair your clothes.
It’s tempting to throw out pants or socks whenever they get a hole in them, but repairing them is easy, cheap and will save you more time in the long run when compared to the time it takes to go shopping.
Try adding patches to holes, which can even be made from other old, unusable materials like towels. Not only will this bring new life to your clothes, but it also serves as a fun fashion experiment that allows you to display your personality.
If you want to learn to sew, check out the Instructables guide or these videos on YouTube.
You could also donate your clothes and many other household items and furniture if they are still in good condition. Donating to local charity shops ensures that your items get a second life and don’t go to the landfills.
If your clothes really have hit their last legs, don’t throw them out; instead turn them into rags or use them to stuff a pillow. The options are endless!
Another fun idea is to wrap presents with things like newspapers, maps, children’s artwork or fabric. You could wrap your gift with another gift like a scarf, or place it in a reusable basket for a two-in-one combo. Most wrapping paper isn’t recyclable. so opt for things that break down easier or can be reused by their new owner.
Plastic bottles are also often thrown out. There are lots of ways you can reuse them, like making plastic bottle planters or another one of these 60 ideas.
Cardboard, although often recyclable, also has a variety of possible uses. One idea that I like is cutting it into chunks and using it as mulch in your garden. Cardboard toilet paper tubes can be used to make firestarters by stuffing them with paper (which will be great for the summer!) and you can sow seeds in them too.
One item that is very fun to reuse is a glass jar. They make great decorations and are great for storing leftovers, making candles and even making drinking glasses!
To eliminate food scraps, the best option is composting, which I talked about more in depth in a past “Daily dose of green.”
Truly, the little things matter the most. Bring reusable cutlery during lunch instead of grabbing a plastic spoon every day. Reuse aluminum foil multiple times. Buy a reusable shopping bag to use at the grocery store. These things add up and contribute to a lower waste footprint.
Many local communities also have “Buy Nothing” groups. Buy Nothing is a global project dedicated to connecting neighbors to give each other items they don’t want anymore. This is a great option if you have something you really can’t find a way to reuse or simply don’t want anymore.
Many neighborhoods in Cincinnati have active groups that you can join either through the Buy Nothing app or their Facebook group. Find out more here.
Overall, it is easy to come up with a million ways to reuse goods around your house. Before you throw something away, stop to consider how else you could repurpose it. Once you start forming this habit, I am sure that you will notice a significant decrease in the quantity of trash you create!
Elena